Bylaws

(Revised December, 2019)

 Article I – Name

  • The name of this organization shall be the Rancho Peñasquitos Democratic Club, hereafter referred to as the PQ Democratic Club.

Article II – Purpose

Section I – Democratic Ideals

  • The purpose of this club shall be to foster democratic ideals by stimulating active interest in the Democratic Party, to support the party platform, contribute to party leadership and responsibility, to provide a constructive role for the volunteer in Democratic politics and to promote an activist base.

Article III – Membership

Section I – Eligibility

  • Anyone registered as a Democrat in the county of San Diego or who is ineligible to vote (due to age, non-residency or other legal impediment) but pledges to register as a Democrat when eligible and supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II above shall be eligible for membership in this club. Membership shall be open to all Democrats regardless of race, religion, national origin, sex or sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Section 2 – Good Standing

  • Anyone eligible to be a member of this club who attends at least one club meeting and whose annual dues are currently paid or has received a hardship waiver for their payment shall be a member in good standing. Any member who has failed to attend three duly noticed membership meetings in a calendar year without cause approved by the executive board has failed to meet the minimum requirements to be in good standing and shall not be eligible to vote or be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at a membership meeting. Any member whose actions are judged to be prejudicial or detrimental to the club by the Executive Board may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds vote at any general meeting at which a quorum exists.

Section 3 – Dues

  • Dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and reviewed at the first meeting of each calendar year. Dues in an amount set by the membership shall be due and payable upon joining the club and annually at the beginning of every calendar year thereafter. Annual dues for new active member may be prorated on a monthly basis at the request of the new member. Payment of dues shall not be obligatory to anyone for whom it constitutes an economic hardship after consideration and approval by the Executive Board.

Section 4 – Voting

  • Any member in good standing who has attended at least one meeting shall be eligible to vote at subsequent meetings. No proxy voting shall be permitted.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1 – Elected Officers

  • Elected officers of this club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Each shall be elected at the general meeting in January and hold office for 2 years. An elected officer may be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members at a General meeting for causes including, but not limited to, missing three unexcused consecutive meeting, or non-performance of duties. The member and the officer shall be notified ten days (10) in advance of the meeting of the proposed action against the officer.

Section 2 – Duties

President

  • The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the club. She/he shall preside over all meetings of the club and the executive board; make appointments to other positions as required; and act as official spokesperson of the club. In addition, the President should stimulate active interest in the political process, provide a constructive role for the active volunteer; contribute to effective leadership and individual responsibility; and promote harmony among the club membership, between other clubs and within the San Diego County Democratic Party. The President will attend the SDCDP meetings and Area meetings as the named Associate Member unless she/he already holds membership in the club and the body will elect an Associate Member to represent the club for that purpose.

Vice-President

  • The Vice-President shall serve at the direction of the President. She/he shall preside at meetings if the President is unable to do so, or is requested by the President to do so. The Vice-President shall take over the duties of President in the absence of that officer and is responsible for the annual audit.

Secretary

  • The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the general meetings, executive committee meetings, conduct correspondence, maintain the club’s records and is responsible for internal communications.

Treasurer

  • The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues, receive and deposit all club funds received; maintain an accurate record of club receipts and expenditures; sign all checks as authorized by the Executive Board; make a record of club receipts and expenditures available to any member when requested; provide an annual written report of club financial status; make the books and all other financial records of the club available to the audit committee each year in May. In addition, the Treasurer shall be responsible for filing FPPC/FEC financial report on time as required.

Section 3 – Elections

  • Elections shall be held bi-annually. At the election meeting the floor will be open for nominations. The election may be held by show of hands or voice vote for uncontested offices. A secret ballot will be used for any contested offices. Those nominees who receive a majority vote shall be declared elected. If no person receives a majority of votes cast, a run-off shall be held between those two persons receiving the greatest number of votes. The person receiving the majority of the votes shall be declared elected.

Section 4 – Vacancies

  • Should an officer resign or fail to attend three (3) consecutive meetings or Executive Board meetings without cause approved by the Executive Board, the members of the Club, or the Executive Board, by a majority vote at a duly noticed meeting, may declare that office vacant and appoint a successor to that office to complete the unexpired term. Any such appointment shall, however, be subject to approval by a majority of the voting membership at the next general meeting. At that meeting, nominations to fill the vacancy shall also be accepted from the floor. Voting shall be by secret ballot at the request of 25% or more of the voting members present.

Section 5 – Appointed Officers

  • The President shall appoint a parliamentarian and any other officers not otherwise specified by these bylaws as required for the general business of the club. The appointed officers are not part of the Executive Board.

Article V – Meetings

Section 1 – General Meetings

  • There shall be a minimum of six (6) general meetings each year, at least on (1) of which shall be held in January. Other general meetings hall be held at such times and places as specified by a majority of the Executive Board.

Section 2 – Quorum

  • A quorum at any general meeting shall be 15% of the members and include those whose membership is in good standing. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be by a majority of its elected members.

Section 3 – Parliamentary Authority

  • The Parliamentarian shall be in charge of enforcing the Robert Rules of Order throughout the meeting and require that the bylaws of this body are followed.

Section 4 – Notices

  • At least fourteen days (14) prior to a general meeting, notice of the meeting shall be given to the members of the club before any of the following items may be discussed and voted upon:
    • Club elections and filling of vacancies
    • Proposed amendments to bylaws
    • Proposed resolutions
    • Endorsements of candidates and/or ballot measures
  • Meeting notices shall be mailed by postal or electronic mail to each member of the club in good standing. Such notices shall specify the time, place and date of the general meeting and describe the event.

Article VI – Executive Board

Section 1 – Function

  • The Executive Board shall approve all expenditures and carry out the club business between general meetings in a manner consistent with actions taken at the general meetings and perform any other duties provided for in these bylaws. The President shall pre-approve any written correspondence on behalf of the club. The President shall be the sole spokesperson of the club.

Section – 2 Membership

  • Membership of the Executive Board shall include all of the currently elected club officers and current Committee Chairs.

Section – 3 Meetings

  • The President shall call a meeting, with advance notice of the Executive Board as needed, with advance notice to members. Special meetings may be called by a majority of the currently elected members of the Executive Board at any time. A majority of the then currently elected members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

Article VII – Standing Committees

  • The standing committees for the club shall include both Audit and Nominating committees. Other committees may include Political Action, Membership, Fundraising, Program, Special Events, Communications, Hospitality and others as identified by the President.

Article VIII – Candidate and Ballot Measure Endorsements

  • All endorsements of candidates or resolutions concerning ballot measures or public issues must be in accordance with the standards established by the California State Democratic Party and the San Diego County Democratic Party. It is also the tradition and stated goal of the Club not to make endorsements or to pass resolutions which will adversely affect the unity of the Democratic Party.
  • Only candidates who are registered Democrats are eligible for Club endorsement.
  • A motion to endorse a candidate or take a position on a Proposition or public issue must receive the vote of at least sixty (60) percent of the Club members present and eligible to vote. The quorum necessary to adopt such a motion shall be 25% of members or one fourth (1/4) of the total paid up membership, whichever is less. The option of “No Endorsement” shall be included on the endorsement vote for each race or ballot measure. In the case of no endorsement of a candidate the floor will be open for a motion for a vote to declare any or all the candidates “Qualified.”

Article IX – Affiliation

  • The club shall affiliate as an associate member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee and pay the current annual fee.

Article X – Amendments

  • These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at a general meeting after such amendment has been presented at the preceding general meeting and notice has been provided as specified in Article V, Section 4 of these bylaws.

Article XI – Adoption

  • These bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the governing rules of the Club.

Article XII – Club Representatives

  • Section 1 – Club representatives to the California Democratic Party (CDP), the San Diego County Democratic Party (SDCDP) – and to any and all conferences, caucuses, councils, conventions, and other meetings – shall be selected by a vote of members in good standing at a duly noticed club meeting or, if that cannot occur at a regular or special meeting, by designation of the President.
  • Section 2 – Adherence to Club Positions: Club representatives described in this Article, when participating in voting and discussion in that capacity, shall adhere to and represent the club’s official positions on endorsements and other matters wherever applicable, and shall agree to do so prior to their selection.

BYLAWS – Revised December 11, 2019